mcgann howard keith diplomat sofa black leather 800 cutout

Howard Keith Diplomat sofa (HK Designs), black leather upholstery

As seen in:

Designer: John Home

Howard Keith (HK Designs)

An original vintage Howard Keith Diplomat sofa in black leather in need of some refurbishment, for sale on behalf of a private client.

Condition: The structure is good, however the leather has some tears as shown in photos.
Original leather on majority of sofa: seat cushions had inner foam and leather upholstery replaced in 2014, arms and back cushions are original leather with new inner foam replaced in 2014.

The seating cushions have tears in the top leather as can be seen in the photos and therefore some reupholstery is required.
4 X original metal feet.

Provenance: Unknown, gifted to the the current owner circa 1993

Approx Measurements: 263-268cm (W) x 102-118cm (D) x 62-67cm (H). Seat height 40cm

Price: £1,975 or nearest offer.

Collection only from London E8.
(Please note: The sofa is situated in a first floor maisonette – so will require being brought down one flight of stairs)

Please email us at [email protected] for more details, to make an offer, or if you have any questions.

Brochure image for reference only, this sofa does not come with brochure.

How our service for Howard Keith and second hand items works

Film and Furniture acts as an agent, introducing buyer and seller. We have not inspected the items in person and do not hold stock.

Sellers provide all images and descriptions; buyers should review carefully.
Payment is by UK bank transfer only (no card or PayPal).
Once payment is received, we introduce buyer and seller and pass on contact details for collection. Funds are held until the buyer confirms safe receipt, then released to the seller.
Items may not meet modern fire safety standards due to age.
Buyers often collect without viewing. If you’d prefer to view first, we take full payment as a deposit. If you choose not to go ahead, we refund in full (minus any bank charges).
If you collect without viewing and change your mind, return is at your cost. A refund will be issued once the item is returned in its original condition.
Any disputes around condition or collection are between buyer and seller, but to date, we’ve never had an issue arise.

More on the HK Diplomat

The Diplomat’s sister sofa, the Howard Keith Barbican, was featured in Elton John’s private jet in the film Rocketman and this Diplomat sofa has the same striped velour upholstery that appeared in the applauded Elton John biopic. Pure rock n’ roll!

The Diplomat sofa also featured in Lewis (Michael Caine) and Elizabeth’s (Glenda Jackson) living room in The Romantic Englishwoman. Both stars are seen sitting in this sofa (upholstered in the ‘Eighth Star’ fabric) in several key scenes.

The Sereno Stripes version of the Diplomat was used in a famous ABBA photoshoot.

We have sold many HK Diplomat sofas over the last few years and they get snapped up very quickly.

The HK Grand Diplomat sofa is an extremely sought after piece and vintage originals are becoming increasingly rare. This is a grand sofa, with sleek lines which exhibit a subtle drama.

Designed by John Home in 1970 for HK Furniture Ltd (Howard Keith), London, the originals have a wooden frame, foam upholstery with textile, often plush covers and usually with chromed cylindrical metal legs. They come in different fabric coverings such as the zebra style pattern, the zig-zag or in stripes, and sometimes in a plain fabric.

The HK Diplomat was quickly considered a classic sofa design and was sold by retailers such as Harrods. The sofa was included in a Classics exhibition at Heal & Son Ltd London store as early as 1981. They were famously owned by Princess Anne as well as Lord Edward Davenport.

The Diplomat’s low, modernist sleek lines and deep-set seating make them a well sought after piece.

HK created bespoke furniture for the Queen’s Royal Train and the QE2 cruise liner. HK of London designed furniture for the British Parliament and the Royal Bank of England.

Please email us at [email protected] for more details or if you have any questions.